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  3. 1231607049

Supporting Local Audio Stores are we?

I know, money talks, bullshi* walks...
But having owned an audio store for about a dozen years, I know how tough it is to 'make a living' for a mom and pop store, without some sugar daddy/momma in the background funding the enterprize.
So, I am wondering if the nice folks of Audiogon support local businesses?
As I stated, "Money Talks" and I get it, we all want the best 'value' for our money. The question is...when does the price versus local support begin/end. When does the follow up and or service/set up outweigh the raw savings?
To be clear, I am not talking fantastic discounts, but a few percentage points off retail. I remember a painful transaction that I had once, during which a customer had taken home a particular CD player two weekends running, only to purchase elsewhere because he 'saved' $53.00 (on a $500. item). OUCH!
I contended that without the long term audition, he had nothing on which to base his purchase? How does everyone else see this?
Right now, its obviously a tough financial climate out there, but looking to more normal times, I am wondering how many of the readers/writers of Audiogon would forego price for service/set up? OK, forget buying great used pieces for fractions of original retail, everyone must probably assume that that's good for everyone, including the dealers, as this frees up customers who are now, 'back in the hunt'.

It will be interesting to hear back, it's been some time since the Brick and Mortar (at least for me) question was aired out.

Best,
Larry
lrsky

Showing 2 responses by newbee

newbee
4,798 posts
 
I used to support my local dealers but they have long since stopped carrying any product I'm interested in. The few that have survived are only interested in HT, and that is probably why they survived. And I live in a community with over 1.5 million folks in the greater metro area.

I've learned to do 'due diligence' over the internet. If the product I want can be found used, or new, locally I'll get it. But for the most part it comes UPS via the internet.

The days of old fashion B&M dealers with home demo stuff and a service department are long gone so far as I know, and without that, well who cares, even if you're a nice guy.
newbee
4,798 posts
 
Mitch2 has, IMHO, presented the history of the demise of B&M dealers, in the most concise and intelligent manner possible.

This horse is not only long out of the barn, it has died! Folks who want to make money in the audio industry aught to pay attention to what guys like Kevin Deal are doing. There are a few more drops of blood in the rock, but you've got to squeeze the hell out of it.
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